Oct 29, 2018

Remembering Mets History (1988): NLCS Game #3- Mets Go Up Two Games to One On L.A.

Saturday, October 8th, 1988: NLCS Game #3-Shea Stadium in New York.

After a split in the first two games at Los Angeles, the first game back in New York on Friday was postponed due to bad weather. The Mets returned home to play at Shea in front of 44,672 for Game #3 on Saturday afternoon.In a rematch of Game #1 starters, Davey Johnson sent Ron Darling (17-9 / 3.25 ERA) to the mound for New York & Tommy Lasorda sent Orel Hershiser (23-8 / 2.26 ERA) for L.A. But neither pitcher would figure in the decisions in the end. The Dodgers would use five pitchers & the Mets four.

Mets Pitcher Roger McDowell Confirms Rain Out

Darling was shaky in the 2nd, he walked the first two batters in the inning, then gave up a base hit to Mike Scoscia which brought home the first run. The next run scored on a ground out to short stop, it was quickly 2-0 Dodgers. A Kirk Gibson ground out in the 3rd made it 3-0.

In the home 3rd, Mookie Wilson struck out but reached base on a wild pitch. Darryl Strawberry's double brought in Mookie with the Mets first run. Both pitchers rolled along until the bottom of the 6th. Keith Hernandez & Strawberry both singled. Kevin McReynolds then reached on an error to load the bases. Gary Carter & Wally Backman both collected RBI base hits to tie the game at three. Ron Darling pitcher six innings, allowing three runs on five hits with four walks & five strike outs. In the 8th Roger McDowell was on for the Mets, after getting the first two outs he surrendered two base hits & a walk to load the bases. Randy Meyers came in but walked Mike Sharperson to put L.A. ahead 4-3.For the Dodgers, Orel Hershiser went seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits with four strike outs & four walks.

In the home 8th, Jay Howell started the inning but walked Kevin McReynolds. Howell was relieved by Alejandro Pena. With two outs, Wally Backman doubled tying the game back up at four. After Len Dykstra walked, Mookie Wilson singled to bring home Backman. Greg Jefferies was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Keith Hernandez then drew a bases loaded walk bringing in another run. Darryl Strawberry followed with a pop fly single, bringing in two more runs to cap off the Mets victory.In the 9th David Cone was brought in to shut the door with a save. The Mets took a two games to one lead in the series with the 8-6 victory.